What the LSCP has done in 2016
Posted by Lake Superior Community Partnership on July 18, 2016
Once again, the first half of the year has flown by! How are we already halfway through 2016? We’ve worked with some amazing clients, coordinated the annual Ambassador trip to Lansing, completed two successful fundraising events and are in the planning stages of our inaugural Business to Business Expo.
So far in 2016 we have worked with 211 clients from across the region. Of these clients, 68 were start-ups, 2 were attraction and 141 were expansion/retention clients. Examples of services we assisted with are site location, strategic planning, business financing, business plan development, marketing and licensing.
When working with clients, we also keep track of the number of jobs involved. Of the clients we worked with, 287 jobs are projected to be created, 4 jobs were retained and 8,007 existing jobs were impacted by the additional services that the companies requested. Jobs impacted is defined as the number of jobs affected through the LSCP actions and engagement with business clients.
The Ambassador trip in April is always a highlight of our first part of the year. I won’t go into too much detail, as I dedicated an entire column to it already, but I do want to reiterate what a success it was. We were able to meet with Governor Rick Snyder, Lt. Governor Brian Calley, Attorney General Bill Schuette and many more. Once again we opened up our trip up and collaborated with colleagues from nine other counties across the U.P. This elevates our voice in Lansing when we can truly work together for a common goal.
Our government relations taskforce recently completed our state and federal policy agendas. They can be found on www.marquette.org under Business Resources and Government Relations and Advocacy. This group keeps up with issues that affect our business community at a local, state or federal level. We have been following the new Department of Labor rules very closely this year and will host a sold out Lunch and Learn tomorrow to educate businesses on how the changes will affect them.
Our team has also spent a lot of time working with our partners, assisting businesses affected by the permanent idling of the Empire Mine. We continue to focus on assisting downstream businesses affected (i.e. – vendors, suppliers, etc). If you are an affected business and would like to meet with our business development representatives, please call 906.226.6591.
Although we’ve accomplished a lot so far this year, there is much more to do!
We are in the planning stages for the Business to Business Expo and Workshop on October 27. Visit www.marquette.org and see details under the events calendar. You don’t want to miss out on this event!
We expect to meet with at least 250 more clients before the year ends. Do you have an idea for a business? Contact us and let our team walk you through the process of starting up! Have you been in business for years? We can help with a business check up and make sure you’re running as efficiently as possible! Looking to expand or buy a business? We can help with that too!
I am especially excited about the planning that is underway for our 20th anniversary. We will be 20 years old in November 2017, but will celebrate all year long! Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to 2017. We’ll be hosting some unique events and taking a look back at the past 20 years and those who have made it all possible!
Remember, we don’t do any of this alone as your investment in economic development makes it happen. It is an exciting time to be an LSCP partner. So, if you’re not already, contact our office to find out about the many benefits available and special incentives for joining this summer. Be a part of making a difference.
We are so thankful to be a part of such a supportive business community and couldn’t accomplish all we do without your help. Here’s to another productive six months!
Amy Clickner, CEO, writes a bi-weekly column for the Mining Journal.
